Public health minister Yvette Cooper has announced plans to expand exercise on prescription schemes.

Speaking at a Royal College of Physicians conference last week, she said the government would soon be publishing new guidelines on how to start schemes for patients.

She also outlined a range of government initiatives that are designed to persuade people to take more exercise.

These will include physical activity standards for schools.

Ms Cooper said: 'More and more evidence suggests that an increase in physical activity significantly improves health and could prevent many cases of health disease or strokes, but seven in 10 adults are not active enough to get the health benefits.'

About 200 practices in England currently offer 'exercise on prescription'.